[SAT 13.07] This too shall pass

"This Too Shall Pass". You may be familiar with this phrase. It is often quoted when we encounter difficulties in life and we look for strength to endure with the hope that there is light at the end of a dark tunnel.

Along the similar lines Chinese proverb "Blessing in Disguise" (塞翁失马, Sàiwēngshīmǎ, literally "Saiweng Loses His Horse"） touches on impermanence.

"A long time ago, old man Saiweng lost his horse. Being of poor health and depending on the support of his old horse and young son, after hearing the news, many villagers came to express their sympathy for difficult life and misery that follows him. Old Saiweng welcomed friends saying: “Bad luck or good fortune, who knows what the real outcome is.”

Life on the farm continued, and the absence of the horse brought suffering to Saiweng and his son, but a few days later, the old horse came back accompanied by a beautiful, young stallion. The neighbours rushed to Saiweng excited and happy for him: “Wonderful news, Saiweng! Your horse is back, and now you have two. Oh, how lucky you are!” Old Saiweng welcomed his friends and said: “Good luck or bad fortune, who knows what the real outcome is.”

Young stallion was wild, and Saiweng’s son began to tame it. Day by day he was getting closer to put a saddle on the horse and to ride it, until one day the horse kicked and pranced and threw the boy into the ground. The neighbours ran to Saiweng and again expressed their sympathy: “Oh, Saiweng, what a misery! Your son broke his leg, this is terrible luck.”

Saiweng took care of his son and responded: “Bad luck or good fortune, we will see how the story unfolds.”

One week later, soldiers came to town and began recruiting young men to join them on their war quests. All men left the village except Saiweng’s son whose broken leg made him unfit for the war."

——Saiweng Loses His Horse

Reflecting on this story, I want to add that This Too Shall Pass has another angle. Knowing that everything is impermanent, when things are going well, take time to savor and express gratitude for events in life that bring lightness and joy. Knowing that this too shall pass, how will you celebrate?

On Saturday 13th July 2019, Dr Theo Cope holds a session Impermanence: A Psychological View. Look forward to seeing you at BMC (time: 9am to 12pm).

Mindfully yours, Dalida

Founder of BMC
Executive & Mindfulness Certified Coach

Scan the QR code in the poster below for more information.

Presentation

“Though we may lament, regret, abhor or try to ignore it at times, anticipate, yearn for and embrace it at others, we know that impermanence is a part of existence. It’s not always we think about, though it is always something we experience…every moment of every day: the inhalation gives way to exhalation; fullness to hunger; eyelids blink and we don’t think and blink, blink, blink to the next eye blink. Impermanence is a feature that structures our life. What can psychological theory contribute to this Buddhist concept expressed long ago by the term anicca in the Pali language? Dr. Theo Cope will host a short presentation and discussion of this theme at the Beijing Mindfulness Center as a way to evoke thought (transient as it might be) about impermanence. We welcome you to join for a few hours of reflection, rumination, and reverie as the day fades into night.”

——Dr. Theo Cope

Previous presentations animated by Dr. Theo at the BMC on the theme of  

"The shadow and meditation"

Dr. Theo Cope

Theo A. Cope holds his MA and Ph.D. in Psychology and a B.A. in Gerontology. He is a certified Family Consultant and a Positive Psychotherapist (PPT), with certification granted by the World Association of Positive Psychotherapy in Wiesbaden, Germany. PPT is a trans-cultural therapeutic method, which began in 1968 by Dr. Nossrat Peseschkian. 

In Oct. 2014, Theo began working for International SOS medical group (now Raffles Medical) in Beijing as a Psychologist and Psychotherapist, after collaborating with ISOS in Dalian for many years. He has lived and taught in different regions of China for the past 18 years and written on various themes of psychology and philosophy. He is the author of two books in the field of psychology. He practices mindfulness meditation regularly, uses mindfulness skills professionally and has integrated mindfulness into the topics he lectures on. Theo has given lectures and workshops for international companies in China as well as at international conferences.

Workshop details

Saturday, 13th of July 2019

9:30 - 12:30

Beijing Mindfulness Center, 

44 Qianyongkang hutong

 Price:  250 RMB

            220 RMB for BMC members

Scan the QR code for registration

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